Solheim Cup 2026: US and Europe Both Enter Bernardus Cold
By Staff Writer
3 min read
Key takeaways
- The U.S. and Europe each have only two individual LPGA winners on their 2026 rosters, led by Nelly Korda's four victories.
- No player in the 24-woman field has won a tournament since Korda's U.S. Women's Open title in June.
- The U.S. holds a Rolex Ranking edge, averaging 39 to Europe's 54, but Europe fields four rookies to the U.S.'s two.
- The last four Solheim Cups have been decided by a combined six points, compared with 24 for the last four Ryder Cups.
- Angel Yin returned to competition 35 pounds lighter after a two-month stomach illness and will play this week at Bernardus Golf.
Neither Solheim Cup team arrives at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands, playing well. The U.S. and Europe combine for just five individual wins on tour in 2026, and no player in the 24-woman field has won since Nelly Korda's U.S. Women's Open title at Riviera in June.
How have the two teams played coming in?
Europe's roster has been especially cold. Rookie Julia Lopez Ramirez has missed five cuts in her last seven starts, as has 2021 standout Leona Maguire. Veteran Carlota Ciganda has missed seven of her last nine events, Linn Grant arrives off three straight missed cuts, and rookie Mimi Rhodes sat out her last two weekends.
The U.S. side has its own slump. Andrea Lee missed her last two cuts, captain's pick Lindy Duncan hasn't cracked the top 25 since March, and Megan Khang went nearly two months without making a cut before a tie for 27th near her Boston home. Rose Zhang has yet to contend in 2026 but comes in off two straight top-10s. Even Korda has cooled, with a tie for 50th and a tie for 23rd in her last two starts and a missed cut at the Evian Championship, her first weekend off in two years.
What is Angel Yin's status entering the week?
Yin returned to the tour 35 pounds lighter after a two-month bout with stomach issues that limited her to an 81-76 at the FM Championship two weeks ago. She arrived at Bernardus early to play a full practice round and paired with Yealimi Noh to beat Khang and Alison Lee in a money game.
"I personally think it's not bad. Every day it's getting better," Yin said of her game.
The last four Solheim Cups have been decided by a combined six points, proof neither team enters as a clear favorite.
Who has the ranking edge?
On paper, the U.S. is stronger, with a combined Rolex Ranking average of 39 compared with Europe's 54. But Europe's roster carries four rookies to the U.S.'s two, and the Americans haven't won a Solheim Cup on the road since 2015. Europe also has home-soil advantage at Bernardus, a heathland course with reachable par 5s and a drivable par 4.
How close have recent Solheim Cups been?
The last four Solheim Cups have been decided by a combined six points, with the 2023 edition in Spain ending in a tie that let Europe retain the cup. By comparison, the last four Ryder Cups were decided by a combined 24 points. Every recent edition of this event has come down to the closing matches, and neither team's form this week suggests that pattern will break.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the 2026 Solheim Cup being played?
The matches are being held at Bernardus Golf in Cromvoirt, Netherlands, a heathland course with reachable par 5s and a drivable par 4.
How many rookies are on each Solheim Cup roster?
Europe has four rookies on its 2026 team, compared with two for the United States.
What happened to Angel Yin before the Solheim Cup?
Yin dealt with a two-month stomach illness that left her 35 pounds lighter and limited her to rounds of 81 and 76 at the FM Championship two weeks before the matches.
How close have recent Solheim Cups been decided?
The last four Solheim Cups have been decided by a combined six points, including a tie in 2023 that let Europe retain the cup.
- solheim cup
- bernardus golf
- nelly korda
- angel yin
- rose zhang
- lauren coughlin
- lpga
- lottie woad
